A30582:367
Gospel remission, or, A treatise showing that true blessedness consists in pardon of sin…Gospel remission, or, A treatise shewing that true blessedness consists in pardon of sin…
Gospel remission, or, A treatise showing that true blessedness consists in pardon of sin wherein is discovered the many Gospel mysteries therein contained, the glorious effects proceeding from it, the great mistakes made about it, the true signs and symptoms of it, the way and means to obtain it / by Jeremiah Burroughs ; being several sermons preached immediately after those of The evil of sin by the same author, and now published by Philip Nye ... [et al.]Gospel remission, or, A treatise shewing that true blessedness consists in pardon of sin wherein is discovered the many Gospel mysteries therein contained, the glorious effects proceeding from it, the great mistakes made about it, the true signs and symptomes of it, the way and means to obtain it / by Jeremiah Burroughs ; being several sermons preached immediately after those of The evil of sin by the same author, and now published by Philip Nye ... [et al.]
London: printed for Dor. Newman, 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The second Caution is this, That whatsoever any one doth in seeking after Christ before he has union with Christ, it is not to be reckoned on as the condition of the Covenant of Grace or a Gospel-work; there are no preparatory works for the receiving of Christ, that are the condition of the Covenant of grace; though they be such things as we must follow after, yet they are not the condition of the Covenant of grace: Now that that is the condition of the Covenant of grace sanctifies him that hath it, and follows upon our union with Christ; though God uses to carry on the soul in the way of legal terrors, humiliations, and the like; yet these are not the work of the Covenant of grace; and therefore this may help many a poor soul about terrors of Conscience and humiliations; that are troubled that they never had those degrees as others have; why as they do not prepare and fit thee for Christ; so the want of them is no hinderance to the receiving of Christ.
The third Caution is this that follows on the other, That though you put your selves upon the use of all means to the receiving of Christ, yet take heed you do not rest in any of those preparatory works, there's a great deal of danger in that; many souls mistake, and it is to be feared it is in this, the resting in something that they have done; it may be God has awakened their Consciences, and they fall upon working, upon humbling and reforming themselves, and here they rest; but this is a mistake, you must not rest until you find you are in Christ, and until there be an union with Christ and your souls; the work is not therefore done because you are humbled and reformed, and run another course to what you did before. for Rom. 9.16. 'Tis not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy; not of him that willeth, that is, that hath some good affections to it; nor of him that runneth, that is, though his endeavours be never so strong, yet 'tis not of him neither: many think they have peace in their souls ⟨p. 206⟩upon their good desires and endeavours; when their hearts are mightily stirred, and they wonderfully enlarged, then they make no question but all is done, and they quiet their hearts with that, and think there is no further work to be done; but it is not so; Not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy; though we must; will, and we must run, yet there may be running and striving to enter in, and yet not enter; this is a very great point, to let us see all of us what need we have of the free grace of God in pardoning of our sin.